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EDISON – Students from three Edison elementary schools gathered at John Marshall School Saturday morning to have practical, fun help in using their skateboards, bikes and scooters at the All-Wheeled Sports Rodeo, organized by teacher Catherine Pellicane.

“Children can come with any ride that requires a helmet,” Pellicane said.

“Isn’t this exciting?” beamed principal Amy Hoffman as she watched children lining up for bike safety checks while others ran a safety obstacle course supervised by two officers from the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department. She said children from her school, as well as Washington and Livingston schools were invited.

The rodeo had several activities. Joyful Cycles from Route 27 in Edison was checking bikes to make sure the tires were properly inflated and the brakes were working properly. East Coast Greenway was making sure bikes were properly fitted to their riders. It was also giving free bike bells to the children. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital was checking helmets to make sure that they were properly fitted, not too loose or tight on the children’s heads. The hospital was also giving free helmets to children that didn’t have them. Snacks were available, and there was a raffle related to bikes and other wheeled sports from local businesses. Some businesses had donated prizes, while others had donated money so that appropriate prizes could be bought, Pellicane said.

The majority of children came with their bikes. Many had their own helmets. The obstacle course, which ran slightly downhill, was marked off by tennis balls cut in half and laid along chalked lines. At different points, a sheriff’s officer would point out stop signs and review hand signals with the bikers.

“We’re delighted so many children could come,” Pellicane said. “They’ll be safer now on their wheels.”

Staff Writer Pamela MacKenzie:908-243-6616; pmackenzie@MyCentral

Jersey.com

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